Autumn Arrives

The past few weeks has seen the temperature drop back into bearable range, and allowed for easier birding. And the birds seem to be enjoying the cooler conditions too. Late last month I had the privilege of leading a group of 24 bird-watchers from Port Macquarie around Manilla. It was a great day out with the highlights being a pair of Black Falcons at the Manilla STW, a few Red-kneed Dotterels at Borah Crossing TSR, the regulars at Dowe NP such as Chestnut-rumped and Inland Thornbills, Blue-Bonnets, Grey-crowned Babblers, Southern Whiteface and Western Gerygones. There were no Painted Honeyeaters found at Rangari, but the weather turned sour there hindering our efforts. Not before a group of eight Ground Cuckoo-shrikes were located, and a couple of Singing Honeyeaters too.

Sorry, no pictures that day as I was too busy leading the group around. But the pictures have flowed off the camera this weekend just gone. For the parrot lovers out there I finally got a half-decent shot of the beautiful Turquoise Parrot. This parrot is endangered in New South Wales. The male is more brightly coloured, but even the female is lovely!

Turquoise Parrot

Male Turquoise Parrot feeding behind log.

Turquoise Parrot up tree.

Female Turquoise Parrot

In the same small reserve were other endangered and uncommon species. The finch lovers may enjoy the stunning Diamond Firetails. Three of them were buzzing around, and finally landed near me briefly.

Diamond Firetail

Diamond Firetail

Also coming and going were a group of Plum-headed Finches, which are not generally regarded as common in New South Wales. This one was feeding on grasses along the bank of a small dam.

Plum-headed Finch

The last bird of interest in this reserve 25kms from Manilla was the Hooded Robin. They are declining in numbers and now also listed as endangered. They were actively feeding from low branches and even rocks, and the male was seen to be enjoying a worm for breakfast. Afterall, the early bird catches the worm!

Female on the left, male on the right; Hooded Robins

Male Hooded Robin enjoying a worm.

Hooded Robin, male.

Hooded Robin, male.

Today I came across a group of about six White-backed Swallows. Most people in Australia are familiar with the Welcome Swallow but probably only bird-watchers even know about White-backed Swallows. They are the least common Martin or Swallow in Australia by a long way being generally uncommon. Theyprefer sandy creek banks to nest in, and are quite stunning! Unfortunately my photos do not do them justice. You will have to try and find one for yourself!

White-backed Swallow.

White-backed Swallows.

White-backed Swallow

Dry Rainforest at Rushes Creek

Dry Rainforest sounds like a misnomer, but it is indeed a classified forest type in Australia. It can handle dry seasons, typically Spring, has less understorey vegetation but still very good bird diversity. It is common around Lismore, the Upper Macleay and Manning but I had not heard anything about it in the Hastings valley which sits between the last two I mentioned. Yet on closer inspection of my father-in-laws property at Rushes Creek near Ellenborough vast swags of the forest here is Dry Rainforest.

Looking up into the canopy.

From left to right: myself, Peter, Julia and Tony

  

I was able to share this morning with good friends Peter, Julia and Tony, all from nearby Port Macquarie. Even before we got to the area I wanted to explore we had a handy list from the drive in including Wompoo Fruit-dove, Large-billed Scrubwren, Bell Miner and Restless Flycatcher to name a few.

We were now greeted by calls of the Emerald Dove, then we flushed a Wonga Pigeon. Both Spectacled and Black-faced Monarchs were easily found.

We ventured into the forest along an old snigging trail. A pair of Rose Robins flitted about noisily above us, but they remained high enough to remain hidden from some of those with me. We added Green Catbird, Regent Bowerbird and Pale Yellow Robin along the trail, but it was getting harder to navigate around the fallen trees and overgrown regrowth. We made one last desperate bid up the trail as a Rose-crowned Fruit-dove was calling up ahead, but in vain. We had all heard it so that will do today!

Green Catbird hopping around the middle levels of the forest.

We decided to return along the creek, which was easier than along the path! My ears alerted me to a Russet-tailed Thrush. But when I popped my head over the bank it scurried away. A Logrunner remained for a minute though. In the same area on the opposite side if the creek I heard tell-tale signs of wildlife: leaf litter being scratched. I snuck in and eventually found a young Noisy Pitta. The rest of the group came in and we all stood about 3 metres from it as it sat motionless on the forest floor.

I had noticed a Rufous Fantail and its wineglass nest in the area while searching for the Pitta, but now struggled to re-locate it. Eventually I did but could only get this angle photo of it: directly underneath!!

Young Noisy Pitta squatting on the forest floor.

Perhaps the worst angle for a photo of the Rufous Fantail nest!!!

We finally found the Thrush briefly and returned to our car for morning tea happy with our effort. As we sat there I heard the contact call of a Crested Shrike-tit which came over close enough for a photo.

Crested Shrike-tit

On our exit we identified an area of farmland that should support Red-backed Fairy-wrens and we left the comfort of the air-conditioned car and walked over to a fence. There were lots of Superb Fairy-wrens.... and finally a male Red-backed came into view! Stunning little guy! But by now the thermometer was pushing mid 30's so back to the car and head for home....

Male Red-backed Fairy-wren